Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Saturday, Aug. 17
Best bet: PROCTOR STREET (9)
Best value: LINCOLN HAWK (7)
FIRST: Moment's Notice was a useful third in debut; forward move predicted for strong second-out stable. Jonathan's Way is training swiftly for red-hot barn; follow the money. McHale concluded work tab with crisp half-mile drill; charting a must.
SECOND: West Beach tallied fast late-pace figure in most recent; call if able to escape AE list. Asbury Park owns top-shelf turf breeding and hails from Chad Brown barn; need more? Policy Change is from a dam that has produced four grass winners; must consider.
THIRD: Bandita was sidelined for 19 months after ultra-impressive score in debut; ready for return. Girls Weekend could play out as the speed of the speed. Belle of the Ball packs strong late kick on best efforts.
FOURTH: Hue moves to grass after clear-cut maiden score; swift half-mile work in the interim seals the deal. Turf Rocket is riding a forward line on the numbers; dangerous. Quiescent is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead.
FIFTH: Remember the Chief drops and returns to dirt after showing improved speed in last; breakthrough predicted. Salacious also gets class relief and needed last; worth long look. Macaw makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; don't ignore.
SIXTH: Agent Creed was speed-sharpened in last; return to rating tactics is key. Rough Draft makes third start of form cycle after improved fifth in last; more to give. Let's Go Big Blue logged both wins on Spa sod; big-time player.
SEVENTH: Lincoln Hawk made sustained rally when fourth last time; cutback in distance amplifies late kick. Cyber Ninja has benefit of the rail on tight-turned course. Catch a Wave was a determined winner in last; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Donegal Surges logs field's fastest late-pace figures on "A" efforts. Rocketeer adds blinkers and could play out as the controlling speed. Jackson Heights is a last-race winner that could get overlooked in the wagering; very interesting.
NINTH: Proctor Street tallied sharp final fraction when winning first start on Spa sod; more to come. De Regreso regressed in last after winning three straight; bounce-back threat. She Feels Pretty should be aided by turnback to shorter route.
10TH: Just Basking notched swift late-pace figure when a last-to-first winner in Iowa Oaks last out; ready for prime time. Candied was second to a much-the-best rival in CCA Oaks; be no surprise. Power Squeeze overcame soft pace to win Delaware stakes last out; don't ignore.
11TH: Yo Daddy should pack enhanced wallop with cutback to mile. Unlimitedpotential exits "geared down" victory in last; could easily take another. Wind Ninety Nine is riding a two-race winning streak; must be factored into the mix.
12TH: Naughty Destiny returns to maiden ranks and cuts back to abbreviated sprint; rolls past them late. Beautiful Thief compiled tight work tab for first start since freshener; very dangerous. Heart of the Night will be favorably positioned near the front; worth long look. Barefoot Disco could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
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